Gentry: ‘We have to find a way to get Beasley consistent’

When the Phoenix Suns decided to give Michael Beasley a second shot at being an NBA starter, they hoped they were getting the dominating playmaker that made him the second overall pick in the 2008 NBA Draft.

Instead they’ve gotten an inconsistent forward averaging only 11.5 points and 4.1 rebounds through the first 19 games of the season.

Speaking with Arizona Sports 620’s Burns and Gambo, Suns head coach Alvin Gentry gave his take on what he thought would help Beasley turn his season around.

“We have to try and figure out a way to get him consistent and he’s going to have to help us in that area too,” said Gentry. “We just have to continue work with him to get him better at what he’s doing. That’s why we’re here.”

Gentry went on to shoot down the notion that his forward’s self-confidence had been shaken and added there was no time for Beasley to begin to feel sorry for himself, especially in the NBA.

“Obviously the thing about the NBA is you don’t have a whole lot time to think about it because tomorrow night we’re going to be lining up and playing a Dallas team that’s pretty darn good,” said Gentry. “He’ll get another shot of redeeming himself and being consistent and making the plays that will help us win games.”

When asked about Beasley’s role within the Suns organization over the next few years, Gentry said he saw Beasley becoming the offensive playmaker everyone expected coming out of college.

“I think he can be a facilitator, I think he can be a guy who makes plays for guys and I think he can score for us,” said Gentry. “I think that’s kind of what he is. He’s a scorer, not a ‘drive to the basket and crash guy.’ He’s just an in between guy that can score and put the ball in front of him and that’s what we’re expecting from him.”